The family of Eric Garner joined Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network in Harlem, New York to issue a statement on the medical examiner’s findings that Garner’s was a homicide caused by NYPD officer chokehold.

Eric Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, said Saturday that her first words upon hearing that her son’s death was ruled a homicide was, “Thank you, Jesus.”

As previously reported by NewsOne, Garner, 43, was killed on July 17 when NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo placed him in an illegal chokehold.

The medical examiner said compression of the neck and chest, along with his positioning on the ground while being restrained by police during an arrest for allegedly selling untaxed, loose cigarettes, caused his death.